Activists call for participation in Damascus sit-in

Syrian activists have called for widespread participation in a sit-in to be held tomorrow, Friday, at 2:00 PM at Youssef al-Azma Square in the capital Damascus.

The activist Ammar emphasized that the Syrian people can no longer endure the dire economic situation, given the presence of influential figures who control the country's resources, steal its wealth, and smuggle them to Turkey.

He pointed to the looting of properties belonging to former officers and businessmen in several areas, in addition to the theft of all gifts, antiques and money that were inside, including Yaafour, al-Saboura, the western and eastern villas, and tourist chalets, with no official explanation regarding the fate of these properties being provided.

Ammar added, "Instead of this money going to the sovereign wealth fund for the benefit of the Syrian people, some have stolen it and taken it to Turkey."

Ammar called on all citizens to "participate in the protest and express their rejection of the current economic reality, given the soaring cost of living, including the prices of electricity, water, bread, transportation, and basic commodities."

For her part, a lawyer who preferred to keep her name anonymous for security reasons confirmed the lack of transparency in public administration, and warned against trends toward privatizing vital sectors; the health sector, which would negatively impact citizens.

She added that the sabotage of institutions under the guise of administrative restructuring, along with the dismissal of employees and the disruption of some facilities, has exacerbated the suffering of patients, particularly those with chronic illnesses who relied on regular medical services, such as dialysis, multiple sclerosis, insulin, and hypertension, among others, and has diminished their access to consistent treatment.

These calls for a protest tomorrow at the governorate square, under the banner "We Want to Live," coincide with the commemoration of "Evacuation Day," marking the departure of the last French soldier from Syria in 1946. This occasion represents an opportunity to raise voices against the policies of the current regime, which holds power and distributes wealth to a select few close to it, at the expense of the pain and suffering of the Syrian people.